Teacher suspended for allegedly choking, pushing students

A Fort Lauderdale teacher was suspended without pay Tuesday by the Broward County School Board after he allegedly choked one student and pushed another at Arthur Ashe Middle School.

Alphonso Joseph, employed by the district since 2003, was charged with misconduct in office, according to the school district's administrative complaint. He was accused of committing battery against two of his students in an altercation in his classroom during February of last year.

His attorney, Melissa Mihok, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The school district will move to terminate Joseph next month but he can request an administrative hearing to challenge the decision.

According to the district complaint, two substitute teachers said they saw Joseph push at least one female student out of his classroom, then grab another student by the neck and choke him.

The report also said Joseph allegedly used inappropriate language and profanity toward his students during the altercation.

Board member Katie Leach said while teachers are under a lot of pressure, it's no excuse to act violently toward students. "This is not acceptable," she said.

Rhonda Ward, an education advocate, said she was pleased with the district decision. "You should always have a child's best interest at hand."

But she pointed to growing strains on families and said the district needed to start looking at underlying issues that may be affecting teacher attitudes. "We need to look at what's underneath that anger," she said.

District officials said Joseph's students were not seriously injured but did not divulge further details. Action in the case is still pending.

The matter was investigated by Fort Lauderdale police.

Broward Schools Police Chief David Golt said criminal charges against Joseph are pending a decision by the Broward State Attorney's Office.

A Professional Standards Committee in October also recommended Joseph be fired from his position.